Router, switch, and access point in one

The offered product is a unique solution that combines the functions of a router, switch, and access point. It comes with RouterOS v7 and a Level 5 license, and is equipped with a quad-core IPQ-8072A processor clocked at 2208 MHz along with 1 GB of DDR3 RAM. Its performance surpasses that of standard MikroTik home wireless routers while also delivering significantly better parameters than popular switches such as the CRS320-8P-8B-4S+RM and CRS328-24P-4S+RM. In homes and small offices, it allows for a substantial reduction in the number of devices, making it an excellent choice as the main component in such networks.

Wi-Fi 6 4x4 MIMO, option to connect external antennas

The device can simultaneously transmit a wireless network in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, using IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ax in 2.4 GHz and IEEE 802.11 a/n/ac/ax in 5 GHz. Both frequencies support 4x4 MIMO, which translates into better Wi-Fi performance compared to standard routers.

The CRS418-8P-8G-2S+5axQ2axQ-RM comes with four external omnidirectional antennas, offering a gain of 5 dBi in the 2.4 GHz band and 6 dBi in the 5 GHz band. Due to its specific design and the option for rack-mount installation, the manufacturer allows for the connection of external antennas. The chassis includes dedicated punch-out slots where you can install antenna pigtails.

16 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 2 SFP+ slots (10G)

The CRS is equipped with 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports (10/100/1000 Mb/s) and 2 SFP+ slots (10 Gb/s). Such a large number of Ethernet interfaces allows you to eliminate the need for an additional switch in many scenarios. The high-capacity SFP+ slots work perfectly as WAN ports, especially if you are using a data package exceeding 1 Gb/s. The second slot can be used to connect a high-speed device such as a NAS server.

8 PoE ports (passive 24 V / 802.3af/at)

Ethernet ports 9–16 additionally feature PoE capabilities, allowing you to use either passive PoE 24 V or PoE+ (802.3af/at). The maximum total power output budget is 150 W. This is sufficient to connect 8 IP cameras or even 8 access points, as long as their power consumption is not too high. As a result, the CRS can often eliminate the need for a separate access switch in many networks.

19" Rack chassis, dual AC power supplies

The manufacturer designed the chassis for 19" rack mounting, and the package includes the necessary mounting accessories. It should be noted that a closed rack can significantly limit wireless network performance; in such cases, the user should route the antennas outside the rack. Inside the chassis, there are two AC power supplies, ensuring uninterrupted operation even if one fails. The device’s maximum power consumption is 43 W, and the maximum consumption including full load (PoE and SFP+ slots) is 227 W.